Welcome to the Psychedelic Blog. I write about the Impact of Psychedelics on Grieving, Relationships, Culture & Death. This week, I’m exploring how different Psychedelics uniquely rewire our capacity for joy—and why that might be their most underrated gift.
You are absolutely correct about locked doors on DMT. My wife is currently 8 months pregnant and I recently did a journey on DMT that did not go as I had planned. As soon as it began an entity that I call the Mother Goddess straight up stopped it and berated me for doing it while my wife was pregnant. I could see this through my left eye while my right eyes vision was still seeing normal reality. Was an extremely interesting experience to say the least. Have had other journeys that were a bit stunted but nothing like this one. Buddy of mine who is a bigger psychonaut than I says he’s been blocked before as well, yet another example of DMT opening doors to other dimensions.
I’ve heard others describe similar “interventions,” but yours takes it to another level.
Fascinating how specific & personal the messages can be, especially when it comes to timing & life context. That “left eye in the realm, right eye in this one” detail gave me chills.
Appreciate you sharing this—definitely adds weight to the idea that these aren’t just random visuals, but encounters with some sort of intelligence.
Glad to share them brother, have journeyed on DMT at least 50 times and the encounter I described was the most I’ve had an entity intervene in the experience, was truly incredible.
Wild to hear that this one stood out so strongly. I’m always fascinated by how certain encounters feel orchestrated, like something steps in when it really matters.
Insightful and informative article - thank you for a great blog.i have experimented with many psychedelics over the years and have found organic compounds to provide a positive balance and ritual - effort expended growing/ collecting/ preparing often leading to more lasting, beneficial outcomes. My favorite is San Pedro which although is unpleasant to ingest consistently connects me to a wise benefactor (sometimes feels like God). Here's to the pursuit of Joy!
Thank you! I resonate deeply with what you said. There really is something powerful about the effort & ritual behind organic compounds.
San Pedro is such a beautiful ally. I’ve heard others describe that same wise, loving presence—what you called a “wise benefactor” is spot on. God-like.
Here’s to joy, indeed. And to staying in right relationship with these sacred tools.
I’ve only done one ayahuasca ceremony, compared to about a dozen psilocybin journeys, and the amount of discomfort that came along with the ayahuasca experience was not something that felt like it served me well. I felt like my micro biome was highly disrupted for perhaps a week or two afterwards. I know many people see a sacred purpose in the purging and they’re very well could be, but for me, I have to admit that it really just felt like vomiting that was hard on my system. It left me, wondering if I’m ignorant, and unable to see the sacred purpose of purging, or if perhaps there is a romanticization of vomiting as part of this tradition. Maybe a bit of both.
Totally valid reflection—and honestly, I think it is a bit of both.
There is a sacred lens through which purging is viewed in these traditions, but that doesn’t mean every purge is profound. Sometimes it’s just your body reacting to a powerful brew. And if it left your system feeling disrupted for weeks, that’s worth honoring too.
Not every medicine suits every person—and that doesn’t make you ignorant. It makes you discerning.
Joy brings us the capacity to act, as Spinoza would say, and psychedelics allow us to reconnect with its power without rigging the reward system. I’d add to the picture the unique warmth of mescaline and the erotic euphoria of 2C-B. Incidentally, one of the most phenylethylaminic joys I’ve ever experienced was with 2C-I, which I haven’t come across since. Anyone around with a lab?
Joy as capacity-to-act is a powerful reframe—and Psychedelics seem to unlock it not by hijacking the system, but by reminding us what unencumbered joy feels like.
Totally with you on mescaline’s warmth. And yes—2C-B brings a kind of playful, embodied joy that borders on the erotic. Haven’t tried 2C-I.
I enjoyed reading this walk-through. Thanks. I’ve done MDMA with my partner about six times and it’s been amazingly beautiful. I am curious about potentially doing it solo and I’m wondering if you have thoughts or guidance on the benefit of doing that and how one should approach it if at all? I do have one buddy who did MDMA once and he did it solo out of curiosity and he just described the experience as odd, he didn’t know what to make of it exactly. So I’m wondering if it’s conducive to solo use or not.
MDMA solo can definitely be meaningful, just very different. It’s less about social connection & more about emotional reflection.
If you go that route, set a clear intention, create a safe space, and be open to what comes up. It might feel odd at first (totally normal), but it can lead to real insights if you’re willing to sit with it.
The way you write about psychedelics is the most thoughtful and insightful of anyone i have ever read. You have been able to completely surrender and trust the medicine. My experience has been joy. Last time I did mushrooms I felt like everything was making love to me and i had that blissful total surrender like when one loses control during a sexual experience. The second time i did ayahuasca i was floating in the embryontic fluid of universal love with angelic being surrounding me. The takeaway is that it has changed the soundtrack of the movie that is my life.
Wow—thank you for such a generous compliment, I won't forget this one anytime soon. Means a lot.
I love the way you describe your experiences—pure poetry. And yes, that feeling of total surrender… it’s one of the rarest & most sacred gifts these medicines can offer.
I especially love your line about the soundtrack changing. Beautifully said.
Great post! I was raised by an emotionally unavailable father (single parent) and the result is that I find it hard to feel things: joy, sadness, etc. It's hard for me to cry. Many of these medicines have opened me up to things like joy and also harder emotions but I'm grateful for it all.
Same with crying...never been something I naturally can do. But interestingly, on microdose days (or days when I take a bit more than a microdose), I'll notice a tear appear. It's as if the mushroom knows what we need.
Happy to hear the medicines have had a similar impact on you!
Thoroughly enjoyed this article! I felt like I was experiencing each one the way you described it from the science to the personal. Also loved that glaring difference between joy and happiness, a reminder to keep in perspective from time to time.
You are absolutely correct about locked doors on DMT. My wife is currently 8 months pregnant and I recently did a journey on DMT that did not go as I had planned. As soon as it began an entity that I call the Mother Goddess straight up stopped it and berated me for doing it while my wife was pregnant. I could see this through my left eye while my right eyes vision was still seeing normal reality. Was an extremely interesting experience to say the least. Have had other journeys that were a bit stunted but nothing like this one. Buddy of mine who is a bigger psychonaut than I says he’s been blocked before as well, yet another example of DMT opening doors to other dimensions.
Wow—what a powerful & intense experience.
I’ve heard others describe similar “interventions,” but yours takes it to another level.
Fascinating how specific & personal the messages can be, especially when it comes to timing & life context. That “left eye in the realm, right eye in this one” detail gave me chills.
Appreciate you sharing this—definitely adds weight to the idea that these aren’t just random visuals, but encounters with some sort of intelligence.
Glad to share them brother, have journeyed on DMT at least 50 times and the encounter I described was the most I’ve had an entity intervene in the experience, was truly incredible.
50+ journeys is no joke!
Wild to hear that this one stood out so strongly. I’m always fascinated by how certain encounters feel orchestrated, like something steps in when it really matters.
Insightful and informative article - thank you for a great blog.i have experimented with many psychedelics over the years and have found organic compounds to provide a positive balance and ritual - effort expended growing/ collecting/ preparing often leading to more lasting, beneficial outcomes. My favorite is San Pedro which although is unpleasant to ingest consistently connects me to a wise benefactor (sometimes feels like God). Here's to the pursuit of Joy!
Thank you! I resonate deeply with what you said. There really is something powerful about the effort & ritual behind organic compounds.
San Pedro is such a beautiful ally. I’ve heard others describe that same wise, loving presence—what you called a “wise benefactor” is spot on. God-like.
Here’s to joy, indeed. And to staying in right relationship with these sacred tools.
I’ve only done one ayahuasca ceremony, compared to about a dozen psilocybin journeys, and the amount of discomfort that came along with the ayahuasca experience was not something that felt like it served me well. I felt like my micro biome was highly disrupted for perhaps a week or two afterwards. I know many people see a sacred purpose in the purging and they’re very well could be, but for me, I have to admit that it really just felt like vomiting that was hard on my system. It left me, wondering if I’m ignorant, and unable to see the sacred purpose of purging, or if perhaps there is a romanticization of vomiting as part of this tradition. Maybe a bit of both.
Totally valid reflection—and honestly, I think it is a bit of both.
There is a sacred lens through which purging is viewed in these traditions, but that doesn’t mean every purge is profound. Sometimes it’s just your body reacting to a powerful brew. And if it left your system feeling disrupted for weeks, that’s worth honoring too.
Not every medicine suits every person—and that doesn’t make you ignorant. It makes you discerning.
Fantastic article. Thank you.
Thank you, Karina!
This means a lot.
Aren't these drugs still illegal? How do you do them without incurring the risk of criminal prosecution?
Never in my life would I outsource agency to the State over what I choose to put in my body.
The fact that we can be jailed for communing with nature isn’t just unjust — it’s Orwellian.
I just want don't want to go to prison.
I don't want that for you either.
Joy brings us the capacity to act, as Spinoza would say, and psychedelics allow us to reconnect with its power without rigging the reward system. I’d add to the picture the unique warmth of mescaline and the erotic euphoria of 2C-B. Incidentally, one of the most phenylethylaminic joys I’ve ever experienced was with 2C-I, which I haven’t come across since. Anyone around with a lab?
Love this.
Joy as capacity-to-act is a powerful reframe—and Psychedelics seem to unlock it not by hijacking the system, but by reminding us what unencumbered joy feels like.
Totally with you on mescaline’s warmth. And yes—2C-B brings a kind of playful, embodied joy that borders on the erotic. Haven’t tried 2C-I.
I enjoyed reading this walk-through. Thanks. I’ve done MDMA with my partner about six times and it’s been amazingly beautiful. I am curious about potentially doing it solo and I’m wondering if you have thoughts or guidance on the benefit of doing that and how one should approach it if at all? I do have one buddy who did MDMA once and he did it solo out of curiosity and he just described the experience as odd, he didn’t know what to make of it exactly. So I’m wondering if it’s conducive to solo use or not.
Appreciate you sharing this!
MDMA solo can definitely be meaningful, just very different. It’s less about social connection & more about emotional reflection.
If you go that route, set a clear intention, create a safe space, and be open to what comes up. It might feel odd at first (totally normal), but it can lead to real insights if you’re willing to sit with it.
The way you write about psychedelics is the most thoughtful and insightful of anyone i have ever read. You have been able to completely surrender and trust the medicine. My experience has been joy. Last time I did mushrooms I felt like everything was making love to me and i had that blissful total surrender like when one loses control during a sexual experience. The second time i did ayahuasca i was floating in the embryontic fluid of universal love with angelic being surrounding me. The takeaway is that it has changed the soundtrack of the movie that is my life.
Wow—thank you for such a generous compliment, I won't forget this one anytime soon. Means a lot.
I love the way you describe your experiences—pure poetry. And yes, that feeling of total surrender… it’s one of the rarest & most sacred gifts these medicines can offer.
I especially love your line about the soundtrack changing. Beautifully said.
Great post! I was raised by an emotionally unavailable father (single parent) and the result is that I find it hard to feel things: joy, sadness, etc. It's hard for me to cry. Many of these medicines have opened me up to things like joy and also harder emotions but I'm grateful for it all.
Thanks, brother! I appreciate you sharing this.
Same with crying...never been something I naturally can do. But interestingly, on microdose days (or days when I take a bit more than a microdose), I'll notice a tear appear. It's as if the mushroom knows what we need.
Happy to hear the medicines have had a similar impact on you!
this is really cool! Thanks for breaking down such a complex topic into something accessible, and interesting. keep it up
Thanks so much, brother!
Thoroughly enjoyed this article! I felt like I was experiencing each one the way you described it from the science to the personal. Also loved that glaring difference between joy and happiness, a reminder to keep in perspective from time to time.
Thank you! That means a lot.
I try to blend the science with lived experience, so I’m really glad that came through.
And yes—that joy vs. happiness distinction has been huge for me lately. Always good to be reminded of the difference.